• Recovery of coastal front
• The synergetic effect of the coastal zone management on the regeneration of other areas in the city,
• Coordination of activities with public and private agents related to the management of port areas,
• The association of public and private agents and the allocation of responsibilities among the different social agents for the sustainable management of the coast,
• The evaluation of the scope of ecosystemic models for the analysis and management of the urban system

In 1997, after a Seminar held in the city of Montevideo and organised jointly by the Merco Cities Network, the Inter-American Development Bank, CIDEU, the Municipality of Montevideo and the International Development Research Centre, the group of participating cities joined efforts for an exchange of information, progress and problems faced by each city in terms of attempting to improve urban environmental management and the application of new management models. This Seminar allowed for the identification of an agenda that included the most relevant issues to enhance management and urban development of these coastal cities. In addition, the Seminar revealed the need for a stronger cooperation among cities and between regional experts who work on these issues.

The Second Meeting of cities took place in the city of Rosario in 1998. It was the first meeting where one of the most interesting issues was analysed in more depth:

association models with the private sector for the integrated and sustainable management of the coastal zone.

The EMS, as part of the International Development Research Centre, is now in charge of managing the consolidation of the regional network, facilitating progress of studies and exchange of information among municipal governments, port authorities, private enterprises and research centres that develop activities in related issues.

III MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN CONE COASTAL CITIES 
(in Spanish)

November 18 and 19, 1999
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Government of the City of Buenos Aires
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Puerto Madero Corporation - Argentina
Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Governments of the participant cities, together with the private sector and NGO's representatives, analized projects of recovery and management of coastal fronts. (see the list of participants and conclusions - available in Spanish only).